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The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews is considered the gold standard for
evidence-based medicine. Essential Evidence Plus includes the latest and most
up-to-date summaries of systematic reviews from the Cochrane Library, which are
the most rigorous and reliable evaluations of medical therapies available. You’ll
find summarized evaluations of the world’s best literature on the effectiveness of
therapy for 3,300+ clinical problems.

Preoperative fasting for adults to prevent perioperative complicationsCochrane Systematic Reviews, 13-Apr-2010Fasting before general anaesthesia aims to reduce the volume and acidity of stomach contents during surgery, thus reducing the risk of regurgitation/aspiration. Recent guidelines have recommended a shift in fasting policy from the standard 'nil by mouth f

Preoperative hair removal to reduce surgical site infectionCochrane Systematic Reviews, 22-Sep-2011Although preparation of people for surgery has traditionally included removal of hair from the incision site, some studies claim that preoperative hair removal is harmful, causes surgical site infections (SSIs), and should be avoided.

Preoperative medical therapy before surgery for uterine fibroidsCochrane Systematic Reviews, 13-Nov-2017Uterine fibroids occur in up to 40% of women aged over 35 years. Some are asymptomatic, but up to 50% cause symptoms that warrant therapy. Symptoms include anaemia caused by heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea, infertility and low quality

Preoperative ripening of the cervix before operative hysteroscopyCochrane Systematic Reviews, 23-Apr-2015Hysteroscopy is an operation in which the gynaecologist examines the uterine cavity using a small telescopic instrument (hysteroscope) inserted via the vagina and the cervix. Almost 50% of hysteroscopic complications are related to difficulty with cervica

Pre-operative traction for hip fractures in adultsCochrane Systematic Reviews, 11-Oct-2011Following a hip fracture, traction may be applied to the injured limb before surgery. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 1997, and previously updated in 2006.

Pre-referral rectal artesunate for severe malariaCochrane Systematic Reviews, 27-May-2014Severe or complicated malaria is a medical emergency and people die as a result of delays in starting treatment. Most patients need parenteral treatment, and in primary healthcare facilities, where intravenous therapy is not available but intramuscular in